What to do about low blood counts after chemo?

Hi @abob. From my experience, with each subsequent round of chemo, there was a little more of a challenge bouncing back to ‘normal’. Fatigue/nausea lingered a little longer and my blood counts were slower in rebounding. To help avoid infections, my white blood counts were boosted with the addition of a Neulasta injection the day after my last day of chemo each round.

Sometimes a patient will require a blood and or platelet infusion during the neutropenic stage where all the blood numbers are down. A red blood infusion will help restore some energy.

Other than that, this just takes time…lots of naps, trying to eat as healthy as possible or supplement with some protein drinks. Drinking plenty of water is key to keeping the body flushed and hydrated. Even though it may be slow going, encourage your husband to do a little walking even if it’s just a couple laps around the kitchen counter.

When was the last day of his most recent round of chemo?

Thanks for your detailed reply.
His infusion was Monday 4/22. He is finally feeling more energy and perky today Friday 5/3, almost 2 weeks later. He only had GI issues for a week following his prior 3 infusions. He has his blood counts checked again on Monday.

@abob, Lori is right. Each round of chemo takes a bit longer to bounce back from. The best advice I heard during this period was, "You have to give yourself permission to rest." The only thing that "fixes" a person at this time is time itself. Again, Lori is right on the mark. Lots of sleep. I found that regular walking, getting the blood moving, helps, and I was pretty slow. I was lucky to have a certified dietician as a friend, and he advised me to pile on the fruits and vegetables for the vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals. They also contain fiber.

It takes time to recover from chemo -- up to a couple of years to recover completely. All the best to you and your husband. Sometimes, it's as hard to be the caregiver as it is to be the patient, so be sure to take care of yourself, as well. All the best to you both.

Over the course of my treatment, I had a total of 4 transfusions. And the need is progressive. My first was prior to my release from the hospital when initially diagnosed. After my first chemo, my numbers dropped but a break of one week was enough time for them to recover. When a week's break didn't work the second time they gave me a transfusion. Same after the third and fourth rounds.

This happens because chemo kills fast growing developing cells just a little faster than normal cells. Red and white blood cells are fast growing cells. So are the cilia in the nose and ears and you hair in the hair follicles.

It did take me a couple years to recover to the main delete of the 'normal range' for blood counts.

My husband just had his second round of chemo following lobectomy surgery. A week following his first chemo shot, he had extreme constipation which brought him to the ER for an extraction of compacted stool. Very painful. He is coming up on 3 days following his 2nd chemo shot. He has not had a bowel movement and is starting to get nervous about a recurring ER visit.
Has anyone had constipation issues with chemotherapy?

Yes. I give Miralax and Benefiber to my husband mixed into water. Always drink lots of water too.

Not pleasant, but if nec rather than impacted and er: get magnesium citrate from drug store. Follow instructions for immediate relief, esp drinking the amt of water after taking it. There should be a rather quick run to and time spent in the bathroom.

Thank you for the quick response. He is trying to stay ahead of another blockage as he is going on another 4 days without a bowel movement. Still waiting on a callback from doctor's office. I will have him take your advice. Thank you so much.

My hubby also went 4+ days. I give Benefiber everyday in 1 glass water. I start small dose of Miralax just prior to and during first week after chemo. Even if/when he does poop, first+ week is fraught with GI distress, constipation, diarrhea, then back to regular.

Thanks, again. . Heading to CVS for Miralax and Benefiber!

I’d also keep magnesium citrate in the house, just in case. It’s cheap and if you really really need, it works.
Good luck.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Freskaro-Magnesium-Citrate-Oral-Solution-10-oz-Lemon-Flavor/1313229487